How to build garden bed along fence?

[diynewbie1]

Hello! We are wanting to overhaul this courtyard by laying some turf on either side of the patio (see marked up photos) and potentially across the back. However, it's a less than a metre between the patio supports and the fence, so would have to be a very thin garden bed. Anyone done similar along hardifence? Or have any other suggestions on alternatives? We are first home owners and very unknowledgeable and inexperienced!!

  

 

 

Also worth noting that the fence will need replacing at some stage in the next few years I imagine. Any tips would be welcome!! 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @diynewbie1,

You could certainly install turf in those areas, but I’d recommend leaving at least one course of bricks as a border between your dwelling and the grass, and also between the fence and the grass. This edging gives you a neat finish while also helping to prevent moisture from sitting against the wall of your home. 

For the narrow space between the posts and the fence, a garden bed could be a good idea. A raised garden bed would work well here, as it keeps the soil and plants contained, gives you better growing conditions than the thin strip of ground, and avoids issues with the fence. If you prefer to plant directly into the ground, it’s important to choose varieties with non-invasive root systems so they won’t disturb the paving or foundations of your pergola. Another option for such a tight space might be decorative gravel or potted plants, which will keep maintenance simple and still soften the look of the area. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[diynewbie1]

Thank you for your advice! What would you suggest we put between the fence and lawn in order to give that clean edge? And yes, a raised garden bed is a great idea - do you think we can use some limestone to  create this? Would we have to put something against the fence as well to prevent the weight of the soil leaning on it? 

[MitchellMc]

For a clean edge between the lawn and the fence @diynewbie1, I’d leave the last course of bricks that are already in place. They can act as a neat edging, giving you a clear line to mow along without any issues. When you remove the mid-sections, just leave that last row. It works well and creates a tidy finish.

Regarding the raised garden bed, you cannot rely on the fence to retain the soil, as the weight can push the fence over and cause issues over time. Instead, you should build the bed as a contained unit using limestone blocks for the front, back, and sides. This will safely hold the soil in place while keeping everything neat and structurally sound.

Mitchell

[diynewbie1]

Can you please help me with the materials i would need for this and some basic instructions? I really have no idea! 

[JacobZ]

Hi @diynewbie1,

Before anything, I'd suggest having that fence tested to ensure it isn't made of asbestos. If it is left intact as it currently is, then it doesn't pose a significant threat, but if you have to remove the small section in images 1 and 2, then I'd recommend you have it assessed and professionally removed if required.

I'd break everything up into individual projects. Start by removing the pavers, then work on the garden bed followed by the grass.

Removing the pavers is pretty self-explanatory: pull them up one by one, leaving a row on each side to act as a border. 

For the raised garden bed, like @MitchellMc mentioned, you can't use the fence as a backing, so you would need to build an enclosure that is closed on all sides. Retaining Wall Blocks are a good option for this. Start by digging out a trench around 50mm deep for the footprint of your garden bed. You should then add 50mm of road base to the trench, then level and compact it with a tamper. You can then build up your garden bed simply by stacking the blocks. 

Once the garden bed is full, fill it with garden soil then plant your choice of plants. Check out How to choose plants for your garden for some guidance.

For the lawn, once the pavers are up, you would want to assess the quality of the soil beneath. If it is decent quality, you may be able to lay turf directly over it, but oftentimes, adding a layer of high-quality topsoil, 50-100mm thick, will help to give your lawn a much better start. You'll have to check with your local store as suppliers differ from region to region, but you can often get bulk bags of topsoil delivered. I'd suggest speaking with your local store's Special Orders team if this is something you'd be interested in.

Check out How To Lay Turf for some guidance.

Let me know what you think and if you have any particular questions about the process, please let me know so I can assist further.

Jacob